With one of the best floor mops at your side, household chores become miles more efficient and even satisfying. While you may need one of the best steam cleaners to blast away tougher stains, for everyday messes and spills, investing in the right mop paired with the best cleaning products can make all the difference.
Modern floor mops are a far cry from the string-like heads and cumbersome steel buckets of the past, with today’s models featuring innovative materials and ergonomic designs.
Microfibre mops excel at trapping dirt and absorbing liquid, while sponge mops are ideal for soaking up spills, and sturdier mops suit heavy-duty cleaning. I’d opt for a floor mop with a built-in wringing mechanism, while spray mops can also be convenient for quick cleans.
Your flooring also matters. Hardwood floors are best cleaned with microfibre or steam mops that use minimal moisture, while tiled and vinyl floors can cope with wetter methods, making a traditional mop and bucket a good choice.
Read more: The best steam cleaners, tested in a busy household
The best floor mops for 2026 are:
- Best overall – Vileda turbo smart spin mop: £25, Dunelm.com
- Best budget buy – Beldray antibac two-in-one spray mop: £22, Very.co.uk
- Best for hardwood floors – Bona wood floor spray mop: £34, Argos.co.uk
- Best steam mop – Daewoo 12-in-1 multi-function steam mop: £39.99, Amazon.co.uk
How I tested
As someone who’s been testing household cleaning products for years, I took great joy in finding the best mops. To help you decide which one deserves a spot in your cleaning cupboard, I tested dozens of different models to whittle down the options to the very best.
To get a good idea of how each mop would perform on various floor types, I tested them on hardwood, tiles and vinyl. While testing each mop, I assessed performance, ease of use and extra features. You can read more about my testing process and criteria at the end of this article.
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